Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want more benefits?

275 replies

CheeseAndSprinkles · 29/02/2016 14:03

I care for 2 of my children but I'm only able to claim one amount of carers allowance. I save the country a lot of money by caring for my children, I wouldn't have it any other way, but the extra money would be extremely helpful. It's a pittance anyway. So am I BU?

OP posts:
Bluelilies · 29/02/2016 14:41

I think carers allowance is supposed to be a (small) compensation to cover your basic living costs because you aren't able to do paid work because of your caring responsibilities, so you only need it once over regardless of how many people you care for.

It's not supposed to pay for the actual costs of the disability - the DLA does that - and you already get 2 lots of it for your two disabled DC.

NickiFury · 29/02/2016 14:42

I agree. Two lots of caring duties should equal two lots of carers allowance.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 29/02/2016 14:46

SharpEdges I don't think DLA necessarily stops now when children go into hospital. There was a recent ish legal decision about it, Google "Mathieson" and "DLA".

Original poster
CheeseAndSprinkles · 29/02/2016 14:47

Bluelillies it goes no where near basic living costs, job seekers get more!

OP posts:
sharpedges · 29/02/2016 14:47

BeyondBootcamps have you had a benefits check to work out if you'd definitely be worse off if your DH claimed CA? It's just that I get CA taken off my Income Support, but I'm paid a premium on top so I am still better off claiming (although, I do feel it's unfair that I effectively only get £34 extra from being a carer which is even more pitiful than the usual rate of £62). I would have thought that there would be a premium for ESA that means you'd be better off overall though.

Bluebolt · 29/02/2016 14:48

I am one of the lucky ones that gets a reasonable care package from SS (£400 for 24 hour respite puts the cost of looking after a disabled child by the state in perspective) but have found that quite a few friends with multiple children with disabilities get little help unless one is classed as very severe and then only for that child.

Bluelilies · 29/02/2016 14:48

I thought it was similar to JSA? Isn't it?

tabulahrasa · 29/02/2016 14:48

"It's not supposed to pay for the actual costs of the disability - the DLA does that - and you already get 2 lots of it for your two disabled DC."

That's their benefit though, not the carer's...she only currently gets it because they're children, if you claim carer's allowance for caring for someone over 16, you don't get that money either...and it's not enough or designed to pay for a full time carer.

Samcro · 29/02/2016 14:49

i would love to know why it is different caring for an adult!!

children are not cured of disability at 18 you know.
and caring for a full grown severely disabled adult is a lot harder than a small child(just in my experience) and adult ss is much less helpful.
but hey 62 pounds a week for 24/7 care is so expensive

ouryve · 29/02/2016 14:49

Are they special needs children

No, but they are likely to be children with special needs.

Greyponcho · 29/02/2016 14:50

YANBU for needing a bit more to help you provide the care your children need, but you're probably being told YABU for making out like you're doing the country some great big favour for looking after your own kids Hmm

JenEric · 29/02/2016 14:50

Carers allowance is the worst benefit. Technically I can claim it as my DH is on high level ESA and PIP but I don't actually get any money. They just take the amount off our ESA and pay it to me instead...

For the privilege of doing that I would be bound by restrictions so I don't even bother enabling me to supplement our income freelancing (I'm a writer so can work from home)

Worst benefit ever. It needs sorting out badly.

ricketytickety · 29/02/2016 14:51

Could you get some extra care help using the other child's care allowance? There must be a way to use it as like you say your child needs the care. Especially as you say you are tired. You could have another carer to help with your other child? Or household stuff?

Samcro · 29/02/2016 14:52

well a lot of parents don;t.....and it costs the state a hell of a lot of money.
residential care is very expensive. so yes the op does save the state a lot of money.

Original poster
CheeseAndSprinkles · 29/02/2016 14:52

JSA is £11 more than CA, may seem similar, but is a heck of a lot more when it's pittance to start with.

OP posts:
feellikeahugefailure · 29/02/2016 14:53

CA isn't supposed to be an income.

I do think JSA should be much higher though, or extras on top like free bus travel and winter fuel payment.

tabulahrasa · 29/02/2016 14:54

"Could you get some extra care help using the other child's care allowance?"

She'd have to find someone who doesn't earn more than £100 a week who is willing to care for her child for at least 35 hours a week for £62.10.

Samcro · 29/02/2016 14:54

so you think carers are worth less that the unemployed!!

Sallystyle · 29/02/2016 14:55

CA is a joke. £61 a week isn't much compensation for not being able to work and saving the government thousands of pounds in child care.

YANBU

ouryve · 29/02/2016 14:55

Just one thing, Cheese - are you getting all the tax credits you're entitled to? We get the disabled child allowance for both boys and the severe disability premium for DS2, as he gets the higher rate care component of DLA. There's not a lot of it left, taking DH's wages into account, but it's still enough to make a big difference to cash flow.

Original poster
CheeseAndSprinkles · 29/02/2016 14:57

It took me a long time to get my head around claiming ca as I was going to 'care' for my children anyway grey poncho Angry
So don't give me that crap!

OP posts:
Sunshine87 · 29/02/2016 14:58

You would think carers allowance would be assessed on the individuals needs. People vary on how their disability affects their daily living. Having a disabled child isn't easy. I don't want to pry too much OP but do you claim the extra disbaility element for tax credits? Also if your DC has mobility problems you maybe enitled to a mobility car to get them to school and appointments. You do forfiet another disability benefit. My ex gets a mobility car every 3 years due to a permant disability and really does help as he isn't able to walk far.

BillSykesDog · 29/02/2016 14:59

It's too low across the board, but should be raised across the board, not just for people who care for more than one person. If you can't work because you're caring then it should reflect that you can't do a job because of your commitments. It should be at least the equivalent of a full time job at minimum wage. If you take into account that the admin of the extra tax, insurance and pensions etc the gov would still save money on paying for carers.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 29/02/2016 14:59

Ynbu. Ignore that rude clique dismissive daft biscuit.
Some idiotsPeople see the word benefits and start getting all uppity.Angry

Sallystyle · 29/02/2016 14:59

I was told it was weird to claim money for caring for my own children by a few different people.

Well, when my son was 14 and still needed caring for who was going to have him? Take him to a child minders? Not that easy.